D-backs Rattled by Orioles in 5-1 Loss

By J. Rosalye Luna

The Arizona Diamondbacks opened a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night at Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks entered the series with a 5-5 record, coming off a 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals in Sunday’s series finale.

Zach Gallen took the mound for Arizona in his third start of the season and second at home. Gallen, who entered the game 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA, faced the Orioles in the series opener.

Baltimore struck first in the top of the first inning with a home run to right field by Ryan O’Hearn, taking a 1-0 lead. Arizona was unable to respond in the bottom of the inning.

The Orioles extended their lead in the third with another run, making it 2-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, Arizona’s offense showed signs of life. Pavin Smith and Josh Naylor each singled, getting the crowd at Chase Field into the game. Smith scored on a sacrifice fly by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., cutting Baltimore’s lead to 2-1. Eugenio Suárez was hit by a pitch before the inning ended, but the Diamondbacks could not capitalize.

The Orioles pulled away in the fifth, adding three more runs to make it 5-1. Gallen’s night ended after allowing three runs—on singles from Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, a stolen base by Henderson, and a walk to Jordan Westburg. Gallen’s struggles kept him from containing the Orioles’ offense.

Ryan Thompson relieved Gallen and struck out Heston Kjerstad to end the inning.

Gallen finished with 4.2 innings pitched, allowing five runs, seven hits, four walks, two strikeouts, and one home run.

Despite Arizona holding Baltimore scoreless after the fifth inning, the Diamondbacks couldn’t generate enough offense to mount a comeback.

The Orioles, behind ace Zach Eflin, won the series opener 5-1. Gallen took the loss, extending Arizona’s losing streak to three games.

After the game, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo praised the Orioles’ performance. “They played a very clean game,” Lovullo said. “Zach looked like he had really good stuff, but they started to check off some really good quality pitches, and he never found a rhythm beyond that first couple of innings. He was doing what he could.” Lovullo also credited Baltimore’s game plan and noted that the Diamondbacks couldn’t get anything going offensively.

Following the loss, Arizona fell to 5-6 on the season, dropping below .500. The Diamondbacks have won only one of their last three series. They tied their series opener at home against the Chicago Cubs (2-2), won their next series against the New York Yankees (3-2), and lost a series to the Washington Nationals (1-2).

Arizona sits in fourth place in the National League West, 3.5 games behind first place. There is a three-way tie for first with the San Diego Padres (8-2), San Francisco Giants (8-2), and Los Angeles Dodgers (9-3).

Next game:
Tuesday, April 8, 6:40 p.m. MST at Chase Field.

Arizona will close out the series against Baltimore on Wednesday, April 9, with a 12:40 p.m. MST matinee at Chase Field.

For the full Arizona Diamondbacks season schedule, visit mlb.com/dbacks/schedule. ♦︎